Sometimes you get a watch that literally takes your breath away.
When this arrived last week from my matched Santa – Jeff from one of my watch groups – I literally held my breath as I gingerly took it out of the box.
Wow.
This watch feels like it should cost a FEW thousand bucks. It looks like it should cost a FEW thousand bucks.
I put it back into the box waiting for the perfect day to put it on and wear it.
This is an automatic dress watch, something I did not have until this gorgeous watch arrived at my door in a box with two other watches, a jar of apiary honey and some other cool things my Santa sent.
I had never heard of the brand – it was launched on Kickstarter in 2015 from what I could research about it.
I was immediately taken by the hands and the way the watch just screamed “LUXURY”; holding it convinced me that my Santa had lost his mind sending me something reserved for millionaires.
The Heirloom Watch has a sapphire crystal, gold touched indices, applied gold markers, sword hands and is 10mm thick.
It’s clearly an homage to the designs of Patek from the 1930s with a 1950s simplistic look, something I’ve been attracted to all of my watch collecting years.
Maybe that’s what I love the most about it – it feels like it’s from a bygone era. Would this be worn on the wrist of one of the top executives from Madison Avenue in the 1950s? YES!
(Oddly I love the music from the 30s and 40s as well as the 50s…hmm, maybe there is something to that reincarnation stuff.)
I wore it on a light client day last Thursday so as not to get it all dinged up while fixing computers, the main reason why I have some beaters such as the Casio G-Shock Tough Solar. I did get a little bit of desk rash on the buckle; I’ll get over it as it’s now customized for me; the rest of the watch remains unscathed.
This needs to be worn for special occasions…though I love this thing it’s gonna be hard for me to not wear it.
When I got to my client call, she immediately thought this was one of the multi-thousand dollar watches. It exudes luxury even if it’s just sitting in the case. I told her it was a gift and she was floored as I had zero clues on the cost of the exquisite timepiece.
Ok, let’s get to specs, since many watch nuts are looking for those specifics.
The case as mentioned is 10mm thick including the 2mm domed sapphire crystal. The band is a gorgeous brown leather that seamlessly blends with the gold case. The case is 40mm with a 20mm lug.
The band is croc-leather and with the curved lugs, fits so comfortably that I had to keep checking to see if it was still there. Ok I just wanted to keep looking at it, it is that nice! The inside of the band is stamped with the Travis Leon Logo and is quite comfortable to wear…did i mention “luxuriously comfortable”?
Inside is a Miyota 9015 Automatic 24 jewel movement running at 28,800bph. It’s the smoothest second hand I have ever owned, really. I think that adds to the overall luxurious feel. There is not even the slightest sense of “ticking”, it’s that smooth going around the dial.
My watch is stamped with the Founder’s Edition Mark and is one of the first 250 made. I’m truly honored.
The case back is see through showing the detailed movement and the Travis Leon logo on the rotor.
Holding the case back on are six screws and it’s rated to 3ATMs, or 30 feet, enough for washing your hands or a mild splash. Of course I would not want to try anything more than that with this beautiful watch. If I had kids, this would be in the will for one of them.
I will close with some info from their kickstarter page…
Specifications:
• Case: 40mm case in 316L Steel / 316L Steel with Rose Gold PVD-IP
• Lug width: 20mm
• Lug to Lug: 46mm
• Case Thickness: 10mm
• Dial: Enamel-coated White or Black Velvet Dial
• Crystal: 2.0mm Double Dome Sapphire Front-glass
• Caseback: 6-screws Exhibition caseback
• Strap: 20mm Genuine croc-grain leather with engraved tang buckle
• Water resistance: 3ATM / 30 Meters
• Features: Date window at 6 o’clock position, Serialized limited edition with Founder’s Edition engraving
Movement Specifications:
• Customized Japanese Miyota 9015, 24 Jewels
• 42 Hours Power Reserve
• 28,800 bph (4Hz) Operating Frequency
• Automatic or Handwinding
• Hacking Seconds
• Balance staff shock absorber
• Customized rotor with Rose Gold PVD-IP and Geneva-Pattern Engraving (Not shown on Prototype)
For now, I had to put it back into my watch case. I can’t wait to put on a suit and tie and wear this to some more formal events.
I already miss wearing it!
Their home page can be found here:
http://travisleon.com
Find them on Facebook here:
https://facebook.com/travisleonwatchco/
